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U.S. Consul General Launches Grants to Help Palestinians Further Their Education

June 29, 2009
Jerusalem

U.S. Consul General Jake Walles formally launched the “Abraham Lincoln Incentive Grants” on June 29 during a visit to the Amideast office in Ramallah. The new grants, which will assist Palestinians in applying for study at American colleges and universities, are the first tranche of $300,000 of special funding announced by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her March visit to Ramallah. The funding will pay for grants to approximately 100 Palestinian students to apply to U.S. universities over the next 5 years.

While at Amideast, U.S. Consul General Walles stopped by to visit with promising young Palestinians who were attending a “Study in the USA” advising session in Ramallah. Gaza students were also participating in the session via digital videoconference. Addressing the students in Ramallah and Gaza, Walles spoke about the great value that the Palestinian people place on education. He noted that the U.S. will support Palestinians in achieving their academic goals through the Lincoln grants and other educational exchange programs, in the hope that they may return to help build the future state of Palestine.

Walles asked the assembled students about their future plans for study in the United States and then introduced a special video message from Judith McHale, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. The Under Secretary sent the students a personal message of encouragement from her Washington office. She also explained the meaning of the grant program’s name: Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous U.S. presidents, who ended slavery and preserved the unity of the American nation. All American school children learn about Abraham Lincoln’s modest beginnings in a small log cabin and his entrance into the White House as the 16th President of the United States. It is a story that has inspired generations of young Americans to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Now in 2009, the 200th anniversary of his birth, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem hopes that Lincoln’s spirit of hard work, self-reliance and hope will inspire the next generation of Palestinians.

For more information please contact the Consulate Press Office at 02-622-6909 or Information Assistant Hassna Dajani at 054-6788455.

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